Author: LisaMarie Tersigni

New Computational Tool Provides 3-D Views of Molecular Processes Affecting Human Metabolism

Researchers  created a novel virtual resource called Recon3D to provide biologists with 3-D perspectives of spatially linked genes, proteins, and metabolites for analyzing molecular processes affecting human metabolism.

Recon3D is currently available online through two databases: BiGG Models and the Virtual Metabolic Human database.

The tool can offer insights into the mechanisms of action for disease-related mutations and reveal how genes, proteins, and metabolic reactions respond to drugs. It has been used to analyze human sequencing data to map mutation hotspots in 3D as well as to show that drugs with different molecular structures can exert similar metabolic responses.

This first resource of its kind provides the most comprehensive human metabolic map to date, and accounts for 17 percent of the known functional genes in the human genome.

It will help break research ground on the molecular mechanisms of human metabolism and offer a new human-based approach towards understanding diseases affected by metabolism.

Reference Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/nbt.407

 

 

 

Adopting human-focused research framework may help produce results more relevant to human physiology and overcome translational barriers in diabetes research.

Using animal models for researching type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) impedes scientific breakthroughs about the disease origins and treatment options.

Researchers recently proposed a human-centered research framework to study the biology of sugar metabolism in humans from molecules to population studies by utilizing novel human-based research technologies such as organ-on-chips and computer simulations.

This human-relevant framework, which incorporates in human cells and tissues and computer modeling technologies, holds great promise to advance the current prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of T2DM in humans.

 

Ali Z, Chandrasekera PC, Pippin JP. Animal research for type 2 diabetes mellitus: limited translation to clinical benefit and the path forward. Altern Lab Anim. Mar 2018. Retrieved from http://www.atla.org.uk/animal-research-for-type-2-diabetes-mellitus-its-…

 

According to a study published online in the International Journal of Cancer, a diet in red meat increases risk for colon cancer in women.

Researchers compared cancer incidence rates for dietary patterns centered on red meat, fish, poultry, or no meat in 32,147 women. Those who consumed red meat were more likely to develop distal colon cancer than those who consumed no red meat.

The authors note that higher intakes of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals associated with meat-free diets may protect against cancer.

Rada‐Fernandez de Jauregui D, Evans CEL, Jones P, Greenwood DC, Hancock N, Cade JE. Common dietary patterns and risk of cancers of the colon and rectum: Analysis from the United Kingdom Women’s Cohort Study (UKWCS). Intl J Cancer. Published online April 1, 2018.

 

Researchers compared meat consumed after high-temperature cooking methods and tracked hypertension incidence rates from more than 100,000 disease-free participants.

Increased consumption of red meat, fish, and chicken prepared on an open-flame and cooked longer at higher temperatures increased the risk for high blood pressure.

 

Liu G. Meat cooking methods and risk of hypertension: results from three prospective cohort studies. Abstract presented at EPI|LIFESTYLE 2018 Scientific Sessions; March 20-23, 2018; New Orleans, LA

According to a new review published in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, vegetarian and vegan diets are associated with a healthier cardiovascular profile.

Physicians Committee researchers looked at multiple clinical trials and observational studies and found strong and consistent evidence that plant-based dietary patterns may prevent, and reverse atherosclerosis and decrease other markers of CVD risk, including blood pressure, blood lipids, and weight.

Kahleova H, Levin S, Barnard ND. Vegetarian dietary patterns and cardiovascular disease. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. Published online May 29, 2018.

 

Researchers at the Wyss Institute developed a model of the human intestine containing microchannels populated by different human cells to form tissues, which can be used to study the gut microbiome, the immune system, and chronic conditions like cancer.

The Intestine Chip offers an innovative approach to making research more human-relevant and has the capability to model an individual’s gut, which will lead to advances in precision medicine. The chip’s microchannels can be populated with human cells from multiple donors, offering a human-relevant platform for disease modeling and drug development. The ability for the chip to model an individual’s gut presents new ways to advance precision medicine, which focuses on identifying treatments and preventions that are more effective for individuals based on their genetics and environmental and lifestyle factors. Precision medicine is revising the “one-size-fits-all” approach to health care.

The Intestine Chip may be useful as a research tool for many applications, including studies of metabolism, disease modeling and progression, drug absorption, and more. Until now, in vitro models had limited ability to study enteropathies. The Intestine Chip offers the ability to replicate conditions such as colorectal cancer, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease. The Intestine Chip model also has the capability to study new therapeutic targets, test new treatments, and repurpose existing pharmaceuticals.

Bein A, Shin W, Jalili-Firoozinezhad S, et al. Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip models of human intestine. Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2018;5:659-668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmgh.2017.12.010

 

 

Men who consume more protein are more likely to have heart failure, according to a new study published by the American Heart Association.

Researchers followed 2,441 middle-aged men for more than two decades as part of the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study and found that participants who ate the most total protein and dairy protein had a 33 and 49 percent higher risk of heart failure, respectively, compared with those who ate the least.

 

Virtanen HEK, Voutilainen S, Koskinen TT, Mursu J, Tuomainen TP, Virtanen JK. Intake of different dietary proteins and risk of heart failure in men: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study. Circ Heart Fail. Published online May 29, 2018.

Upon review of over 5,000 study abstracts…..some of the most demonstrated health benefits of turmeric and/or its primary polyphenol known as curcumin are:

*Destroying multi-drug resistant cancer

*Destroying cancer stem cells

*Protecting against radiation-induced damage

*Reducing unhealthy levels of inflammation

*Protecting against heavy metal toxicity

*Preventing and Reversing Alzheimer’s disease associated pathologies

 

Diseases linked to unhealthful diet and lifestyle choices, are the leading causes of death in the United States, according to data published in JAMA.

Researchers compared mortality for hundreds of causes and risk factors and found that heart disease, lung cancer, high BMI, high blood pressure and high blood sugar were all among the top risk factors for mortality.

Dietary risk factors surpassed tobacco use as the leading cause of death. The authors note differences in risk factors at the state level and recommend targeted approaches to address these issues for disease prevention.

 

The US Burden of Disease Collaborators. The state of US health, 1990-2016 burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors among US states. JAMA. 2018;319:1444-1472.